Adjustable sidecutter for excavator buckets and the like

ABSTRACT

An excavator bucket having adjustable sidecutters secured to the sides thereof to adjust the width of the cut that can be taken by the bucket. The sidecutters comprise cutting blades adjustably mounted in brackets secured directly to the side of the bucket. The cutting blades are each pivotally supported in the brackets and are engaged by suitable eccentrics which are operative to adjust the angular position of the cutting blades with respect to the side walls of the bucket.

o I United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,805,422 Stepe 1 Apr. 23, 1974 [54] ADJUSTABLE SIDECUTTER FOR 2,462,790 2/1949 Van Voorhis 214/145 x EXCAVATOR BUCKETS AND THE LIKE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [7 Inventor: Visvaldis Alfons v Willow 1,134,090 11/1968 Great Britain 37/010. 16

Springs, Ill.

73 A 2 C t 'n T ct C Pe Primary Examiner-Robert Puilfrey 1 Sslgnee a erpl ar m or 0 Ona Assistant Examiner-Clifford D. Crowder Filedi 21, 1972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fryer, Tjensvold, Phillips & [21 Appl. No.: 317,186 Lamp) 57 ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 37/141 R, 37/DlG. 16, 214/145 1 1 51 Int. Cl. E02f 3/32, E02f 3/40 excavat P havmg adlustable sldecutte [58] Field of Search 37); 16 0 A 118 cured to the sides thereof to adjust the width of the 2 2 2 I cut that can be taken by the bucket. The sidecutters comprise cutting blades adjustably mounted in brack- [56] References Cited ets secured directly to the side of the bucket. The cutting blades are each pivotally supported in the brack- UNITED STATES PATENTS ets and are engaged by suitable eccentrics which are Long u. operative to adjust the angular positio of the c tti g 3 1 :2 blades with respect to the side walls of the bucket.

ar u a 3,235,982 2/1966 Krohn 37/DIG. l6 8 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE SIDECUTTER FOR EXCAVATOR BUCKETS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to excavator buckets and pertains more particularly to an excavator bucket having adjustable sidecutters to provide adjustable width of a cut that may be taken with the bucket.

Back hoes and hydraulic excavators are quite versatile machines and are commonly used for ditching or trenching for utility lines, building foundations and the like. Any one particular job may require that a contractor provide a number'of trenches of different widths. It has been the common practice in the past to use buckets of different widths for the different width trenches.

This practice involves the expensive and timeconsuming chore of changing buckets each time a trench of different width is to be cut. This results in substantial down-time of the machine as well as the consumption of a substantial amountof labor.

One apparatus for overcoming this problem is disclosed in the US. Pat. No. 3,089,261 issued May 14, 1963 to RA. Flath. This patent is directed to a cutting blade attachment for excavator buckets and discloses cutting blades that are adjustably mounted on the side SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide adjustable sidecutter blades for an excavator bucket that overcomes the above problems of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-contained adjustable cutting blade attachment for an excavator bucket.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved mounting and adjustment means for a cutting blade attachment for anexcavator bucket.

In accordance with the primary aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cutting blade having a bracket for attachment to the side of an excavator bucket. The cutting blade is adjustably carried by a bracket and hinge and is adjustably, positioned with respect to the side wall of the bucket by means of eccentric adjusting means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a hydraulic excavator embodying the present invention;

2 7 FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the, cutting blade attachment of FIG. 1 shown secured to a portion of the bucket; I

FIG. 3 is a front view of the bucket and cutting blade attachments;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3; I

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along lines 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cutting blade attachment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 7 with the cutter blade shown in an outwardly adjusted position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket of the FIG. 7 embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 9; and,

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken generally along lines ll--llofFlG. 7. 1

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED I EMBODIMENT With reference now to the drawings, particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an excavator of conventional design designated generally by the numeral 10 having a bucket 12 appropriately carried on the usual linkage arrangement. Appropriately secured to each side of the bucket is an adjustable sidecutter constructed in accordance with the present invention generally designated by the numeral 14. Since both of the sidecutters'l4 are identical in construction and symmetrical so that each may be secured to either side of the bucket, only a single sidecutter will be specifically described with identical reference numerals applied to identical parts of both sidecutters.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the excavator bucket is comprised of a back wall 16, side walls 18 and 20, and a bottom 22. The bottom 22 terminates in a forward edge formed as a lower cutting edge 24 of the bucket. These elements form the excavator bucket 12 and define a receptacle for receiving earth material and the like which is being excavated.

The sidecutter 14 comprises a bracket member 26 secured in a suitable manner such'as by means of a plurality of bolts 28 to the sidewalls l8 and 20 of the bucket.

Adjustably and pivotally carried by the bracket 26 (FIG. 4) is a forwardly extending cutting blade having a forwardly directed cutting edge 30, a central body portion 32, and a rearwardly directed or extending shank 34. As can beseen in FIGS. 2-5, the cutting edge 30 of the cutter blade extends outward to exceed the width of the excavator bucket as well as forward in front of the leading edge of the sidewalls. This presents a cutting edge forward of the sidewalls so that in effect, in the area of the bucket corners, the cutting blade takes the wear in place of the sidewalls.

This arrangement, further in view of the extension of the cutter blade beyond the width of the bucket, results in the sidewalls 18 and 20 of the bucket being prevented from dragging or rubbing against the sidewalls of a trench being excavated. This considerably reduces friction on the bucket as well as wear. This arrangement then, in view of the adjustability of the cutting blade, provides an adjustable width of the bucket within the range of the adjustability of the cutting blades. 1

As best seen now in FIG. 4 and in FIG; 6, the shank 34 of the cutting blade extends into a recess or socket 36 formed in bracket member 26. The end of the shank 34 may be suitably formed to engage the inner wall of the socket 36 in a manner to provide a pivot point or fulcrum about which the cutting blade is pivoted in the course of adjustment. As best seen in FIG; 6, and with reference also to FIGS. 4 and 5, suitable camming means such as an eccentric is journaled in bracket member 26 and operatively engages the cutting blade in a manner to provide adjustment for the cutting blade. More specifically, bracket member 26 is provided or constructed of a bifurcated section defining a pair of spaced apart journal support members 38 and 40 having respective bores 42 and 44 in co-axial alignment formed therein.

The eccentric means basically comprises a pin or shaft 46 having a pair of eccentrics 48 and 50 to be received in and to provide intimate contact or engagement with the walls of a bore 52 formed in a central body portion 32 of the cutting blade. The shaft 46 is suitably secured by a pair of studs or bolts 54 and 56 in journal bore support members or bores 42 and 44. These studs or bolts 54 and 56 also comprise the extensions of the shaft 46 as well as assist in securing the eccentric means against rotation.

The eccentric means and more particularly shaft 46, is provided with extensions 58 and 60 having suitable splines or serrations as indicated for engaging complementary or corresponding splines 62 and 64 formed on the journal support numbers 38 and 40. These serrations of members 58 and 60 in cooperation with serrations 62 and 64 together with bolts 54 and 56 provide means for securing the eccentric means against rotation.

Adjustment of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 6 is accomplished by removal of bolts 54 and 56 which permits the serrations of extensions 58 and 60 to come out of engagement with serrations 62 and 64 on the channel support members 38 and 40 so that the eccentric means may be rotated around its axis to the proper angle to provide the proper adjustment of the cutter blade. When the proper adjustment is achieved, the eccentric means is then pressed back into the proper alignment with bores 42 and 44 so as to bring the serrations of extensions 58 and 60 into engagement with serrations 62 and 64 and, at the same time, bolts 54 and 56 must be extended through bores 42 and 44 and received into suitably threaded bores within the ends of the shaft 46. The bolts 54 and 56 are then tightened to secure the blade in its adjustment.

With reference now to FIGS. 7 through 11, there is illustrated an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the distinction lies principally in the construction of the bracket member and in the eccentric means. The cutting blade of this embodiment is identical to that of the previous embodiment and is pivotally supported in a manner similar to that of the previous embodiment whereby eccentric means journaled in the bracket member is operative to adjust the outward position of the cutting edge 30 in relation to the side wall 18 of the excavator bucket thereby determining the width of the cut taken by the bucket.

In this embodiment the bracket member comprises a first or base member 66 having a recess or socket 68 for receiving the end of shank 34 to provide a fulcrum or pivot means as in the previous embodiment. An interlocking generally C-shaped insert 70 is cooperatively received or interlocked with the base member 66 and together therewith forms or defines spaced apart journal support members 72 and 74. The insert member 70 comprises a pair of outwardly extending legs 69 and 71 interconnected by a central base member. Each leg is formed with a semi-cylindrical portion as shown to define a portion of a cylindrical bore 76. The journal support members then define a cylindrical bore 76 forming a journal bearing support for upper end or journal portion 78 of a shaft including camming means such as an eccentric body portion 80 and a lower cylindrical journal 82 which is rotatably supported in a lower cylindrical bore or journal bearing 84. The journal bearings 76 and 84 are comprised of separate semi-cylindrical portions defining a bore, each of which is formed in separate ones of the base member 66 and the insert 70. Thus, considering it a bearing journal, the cap member is formed in the base member 66 and the base portion of the bearing is formed in the insert member 70. The interlocking construction of the base member 66 and the insert member 70 is such that the insert is retained in position by the base thereof engaging sidewall 18 of the bucket without the need for fasteners between these members. The lateral position of the insert 70 is assured by the I-shaped configuration of the base thereof and its reception into a similarly formed slot in the base of the base bracket member 66.

The eccentric cam means 80 engages the bore 52 on the cutter member as in the previous embodiment to determine the adjustment of the cutting blade or edge 32. The adjustment of the cam or eccentric means is retained by suitable means such as a cap screw or bolt 86 which extends down into and is threadably received in a bore 88. The arrangement is such that tightening of cap screw 86 against washer 90 pulls the washer into tight engagement with the side ofjournal support member 72 and brings the shoulder 92 into tight frictional engagement with the inner wall of the journal support member 72 to thereby secure the eccentric means in the adjusted position.

The assembly of this embodiment is accomplished by removing the insert 70 from body member 66 and inserting the shank 34 of cutting member into the recess or socket 68 and adjusting the cutting blade so that the eccentric member 80 can be received in bore 52 with the journal portions 78 and 82 of the shaft means received in the cap portion of the bores 76 and 84. The insert member 70 is then slid into place as shown in FIG. 9 so that the body portion of the bores defined by the end members of the bracket or insert 70 completes the bearing support. Cylindrical bearing members or bores 76 and 84 receive and retain the eccentric shaft 80 in position against the respective journal support members with engagement of the shoulders 92 and 94 of shaft 80 retaining it into its axial position.

The insert 70 is then retained in its position by the bracket 66 and engagement against the sidewall of the bucket as shown in FIG. 8. Adjustment of the cutting blade is then accomplished by rotation of the eccentric shaft 80 so that the cutting blade 30 is in a desired outward position with respect to the sidewall 18. Rotation of the eccentric 80 is accomplished by the insertion of a pin or other suitable tool in any one of a number of bores 96 which register with an opening 98 formed in central body portion 32 of the cutting blade. Cap screw 86 is then tightened down to secure the eccentric means 80 against rotation. Further adjustments require only that the cap screw 86 be loosened and the eccentric means 80 be rotated.

Thus, from the above description, it is seen that there is provided a simple, rugged and effective adjustable sidecutter means for excavator buckets that comprises a base member having a cutting blade adjustably supported therein with eccentric means provided for operatively engaging the cuttingblade and determining its position of adjustment.

ln the claims:

g 1. An excavator bucket, said bucket comprising:

a receptacle defined by a pair of side walls interconnected by means of a backwall and a bottom;

a cutting edge extending forward from saidbottom;

an adjustable cutting blade having a cutting edge and a shank extending from a central body portion secured to and extending forward from each of said side walls;

a bracket for securing said cutting blade to said side wall and comprising camming means operative to adjust said cutting blade with respect to said side walls to thereby adjust the cutting width of said bucket;

said bracket having a recess for pivotally receiving the outer end of said shank;

a bore formed in the central body portion of said cutting blade; and,

said camming means comprises eccentric means disposed in and engaging said bore.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said bracket includes a pair of spaced-apart journal means;

said eccentric means includes a shaft rotatably supported in said journal means; and,

means for securing said eccentric means against rotation.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said means for securing said eccentric means against rotation comprises:

serrated means on said eccentric means engaging complementary serrated means on said journal means.

4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said journal means comprises a pair of spaced journal caps integral with said bracket; and,

an insert member defining a portion of the bore of said journals.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said insert is substantially C-shaped and held inplace by said bracket when said bracket is secured to said sidewall.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said bracket comprises a pair of spaced journal bearing caps integral with said bracket; and,

a substantially Cshaped insert member defining a portion of the bore of said journals held in place by said bracket when secured to said sidewall.

7. An adjustable excavator bucket, said bucket comprising:

a receptacle defined by a pair of vertical side walls interconnected bymeans of a backwall and a bottom;

a cutting edge extending forward from said bottom;

an adjustable cutting blade pivotally secured to and including a cutting edge extending forward from each of said side walls;

said cutting blade including a central body portion having a bore formed therein and a shank extending in the opposite direction from said cutting edge; and,

a bracket for securing said cutting blade to said side wall and comprising a recess pivotally receiving the outer end of said shank, and eccentric means operative to adjust said cutting blade with respect to said side walls to thereby adjust the cutting width of said bucket.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said bracket includes a pair of spaced apart journal means;

said eccentric means includes a shaft rotatably supported in said journal means; and,

serrated means on said eccentric means engaging complementary serrated means on said journal means for securing said eccentric means against rotation. 

1. An excavator bucket, said bucket comprising: a receptacle defined by a pair of side walls inter-connected by means of a backwall and a bottom; a cutting edge extending forward from said bottom; an adjustable cutting blade having a cutting edge and a shank extending from a central body portion secured to and extending forward from each of said side walls; a bracket for securing said cutting blade to said side wall and comprising camming means operative to adjust said cutting blade with respect to said side walls to thereby adjust the cutting width of said bucket; said bracket having a recess for pivotally receiving the outer end of said shank; a bore formed in the central body portion of said cutting blade; and, said camming means comprises eccentric means disposed in and engaging said bore.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said bracket includes a pair of spaced-apart journal means; said eccentric means includes a shaft rotatably supported in said journal means; and, means for securing said eccentric means against rotation.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said means for securing said eccentric means against rotation comprises: serrated means on said eccentric means engaging complementary serrated means on saId journal means.
 4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said journal means comprises a pair of spaced journal caps integral with said bracket; and, an insert member defining a portion of the bore of said journals.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said insert is substantially C-shaped and held in place by said bracket when said bracket is secured to said sidewall.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said bracket comprises a pair of spaced journal bearing caps integral with said bracket; and, a substantially C-shaped insert member defining a portion of the bore of said journals held in place by said bracket when secured to said sidewall.
 7. An adjustable excavator bucket, said bucket comprising: a receptacle defined by a pair of vertical side walls interconnected by means of a backwall and a bottom; a cutting edge extending forward from said bottom; an adjustable cutting blade pivotally secured to and including a cutting edge extending forward from each of said side walls; said cutting blade including a central body portion having a bore formed therein and a shank extending in the opposite direction from said cutting edge; and, a bracket for securing said cutting blade to said side wall and comprising a recess pivotally receiving the outer end of said shank, and eccentric means operative to adjust said cutting blade with respect to said side walls to thereby adjust the cutting width of said bucket.
 8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said bracket includes a pair of spaced apart journal means; said eccentric means includes a shaft rotatably supported in said journal means; and, serrated means on said eccentric means engaging complementary serrated means on said journal means for securing said eccentric means against rotation. 